Snap fit circuit breaker and load center system

ABSTRACT

A circuit breaker and panel system includes a panel including a base pan having a plurality of base pan electrical connections. A circuit breaker including a housing having a plurality of circuit breaker electrical connections arranged to contact the base pan electrical connections when the circuit breaker is coupled to the base pan. The circuit breaker is rotatably coupleable with the base pan via a pivot joint for engaging the plurality of base pan electrical connections with the plurality of circuit breaker electrical connections per a predetermined electrical connection coupling sequence. One of the housing and the base pan includes a protrusion and the other of the housing and the base pan includes a corresponding recess which, when engaged with each other, retain the housing to the base pan to prevent reverse rotational movement of the breaker with respect to the base pan.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/616,178, filed on Jun. 7, 2017, entitled “SnapFit Circuit Breaker and Load Center System,” which application is anon-provisional of, and claims the benefit of the filing date of, andpriority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/347,274, filed Jun. 8, 2016, entitled “Snap Fit Circuit Breaker andLoad Center System,” the entirety of which applications are incorporatedby reference herein.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to circuit breaker and panelsystems, and more particularly to a circuit breaker and panel system inwhich the circuit breaker is snapped into the panel and is thusmechanically retained to the panel such that the circuit breaker doesnot need to be solely retained by any of the electrical connectionsbetween the circuit breaker and the panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In a conventional power distribution system, power from a utility may befed to a load center which, in turn, feeds a series of branch circuits.To provide high-level protection for the branch circuits, the loadcenter may include a main breaker to control the supply of power fromthe primary power supply to the branch circuits. To protect theindividual branch circuits, the load center can include an individualcircuit breaker for each branch circuit.

Conventional circuit breakers are typically coupled to an associatedload center via wired and screwed connections. These connections couplethe circuit breakers to the load center both electrically andmechanically. As will be appreciated, for load centers employing a largenumber of individual circuit breakers, the time involved in wiring eachcircuit breaker to the load center can be substantial.

It would be desirable to provide a circuit breaker and load centersystem in which the circuit breakers can be installed faster and moreefficiently than the current screwed and wired arrangements. Forexample, it would be beneficial to provide a system that reduces overallwiring time. It would also be desirable to provide mechanical retentionfeatures (i.e., those that lock the breaker to the load center) that areseparate from the electrical connections. Such a system should also bemodular to enable multiple different panel configurations to be builtusing smaller modules.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A circuit breaker and load center system is disclosed. The circuitbreaker and load center system may include: a panel including a base panhaving a plurality of base pan electrical connections; a circuit breakerhaving a housing, the housing including a plurality of circuit breakerelectrical connections, the plurality of circuit breaker electricalconnections arranged to contact respective ones of the plurality of basepan electrical connections when the circuit breaker is coupled to thebase pan; wherein the circuit breaker is rotatably coupleable with thebase pan via a pivot joint for engaging the plurality of base panelectrical connections with respective ones of the plurality of circuitbreaker electrical connections according to a predetermined electricalconnection coupling sequence; and wherein one of the housing and thebase pan includes a protrusion and the other of the housing and the basepan includes a corresponding recess which, when engaged with each other,retain the housing to the base pan to prevent reverse rotationalmovement of the breaker with respect to the base pan plurality of basepan electrical connections may include a load phase electricalconnection, a load neutral electrical connection, a line neutralelectrical connection and a line phase electrical connection; and theplurality of circuit breaker electrical connections may include a loadphase electrical connection, a load neutral electrical connection, aline neutral electrical connection, and a line phase electricalconnection. The circuit breaker may be rotatable about the pivot jointto assume a plurality of rotational positions comprising: a firstrotational position in which the circuit breaker load phase and loadneutral electrical connections establish electrical contact withrespective base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections;a second rotational position in which the circuit breaker line neutralelectrical connection establishes electrical contact with the respectivebase pan line neutral electrical connection; and a third rotationalposition in which the circuit breaker line phase electrical connectionestablishes electrical contact with the respective base pan line phaseelectrical connection.

As such, in the first rotational position, the circuit breaker lineneutral electrical connection and the respective base pan line neutralelectrical connection are not in electrical contact with each other, andthe circuit breaker line phase electrical connection and the respectivebase pan line phase electrical connection are not in electrical contactwith each other. In the second rotational position, the circuit breakerline neutral electrical connection establishes electrical contact withthe respective base pan line neutral electrical connection. The circuitbreaker load phase and load neutral electrical connections are inelectrical contact with the respective base pan load phase and loadneutral electrical connections. However, the circuit breaker line phaseelectrical connection and the respective base pan line phase electricalconnection are not in electrical contact with each other. In the thirdrotational position, the circuit breaker line phase electricalconnection establishes electrical contact with the respective base panline phase electrical connection. In addition, the circuit breaker loadphase and load neutral electrical connections are in electrical contactwith the respective base pan load phase and load neutral electricalconnections, and the circuit breaker line neutral electrical connectionand the respective base pan line neutral electrical connection are inelectrical contact with each other.

The base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections can bepositioned on a sidewall of the base pan, and the circuit breaker loadphase and load neutral electrical connections can be positioned on anend surface of the circuit breaker housing.

The base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections includerespective wire connection portions, the wire connection portions beingslidably received in correspondingly shaped recesses in the sidewall ofthe base pan such that the base pan load phase and load neutralelectrical connections can be removably connectable to the base pan.

The pivot joint may comprise a recess (e.g., a hook member) on thecircuit breaker housing and a protrusion (e.g., a corresponding rib)disposed on a surface of the base pan so that the circuit breaker isrotatably movable with respect to the base pan via engagement of therecess and protrusion.

The protrusion and recess may comprise a mechanical coupling (e.g., asnap-fit connection) that provides at least one of a tactile and anaudible feedback when the circuit breaker is engaged with the base panin the third rotational position.

One of the plurality of base pan electrical connections comprises a lineneutral electrical connection having a triangular shape for minimizingan insertion force between the base pan line neutral electricalconnection and a line neutral electrical connection of the circuitbreaker.

The housing can include a protrusion on an end face thereof, and thebase pan can include a recess on a sidewall thereof, the recess disposedbetween a load neutral electrical connection and a load phase electricalconnection of the base pan, and wherein the protrusion can be receivablewithin the recess to provide a predetermined dielectric barrier betweenthe load neutral electrical connection and the load phase electricalconnection. The housing can further include an arcuate rib on a bottomsurface of the housing and the base pan can comprise a correspondinglysized and shaped arcuate pad for slidably receiving the arcuate rib whenthe circuit breaker is rotated into engagement with the base pan.

A load center is disclosed. The load center may include a base panhaving a plurality of circuit breaker spaces, each of the circuitbreaker spaces being configured to receive a circuit breaker; and aplurality of base pan electrical connections disposed within eachcircuit breaker space, the plurality of base pan electrical connectionsincluding line phase, line neutral, load phase, and load neutralelectrical connections. The base pan line phase, line neutral, loadphase, and load neutral electrical connections are arranged andconfigured to mechanically and electrically contact respective linephase, line neutral, load phase, and load neutral electrical connectionsof the circuit breaker when the circuit breaker is received within thecircuit breaker space.

Each of the base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connectionsof each of the circuit breaker spaces are electrically isolated fromrespective base pan load phase and load neutral connections of othercircuit breaker spaces when the circuit breaker is not located withinthe circuit breaker space.

The load center may further include one or more line phase bus bars andone or more line neutral bus bars. The base pan line phase electricalconnections may be electrically coupled to the line phase bus bars andthe base pan line neutral electrical connections may be electricallycoupled to the line neutral bus bars.

The load center may further include an auxiliary neutral bus barconfigured to receive a neutral conductor of a dedicated branch circuit.

The base pan line phase and line neutral electrical connections may bemale electrical connections. The male electrical connections may beselected from the group consisting of blades, pins, and prongs. The basepan line neutral electrical connection may have a triangular shape. Thebase pan line phase and line neutral electrical connections may befemale electrical connections. The female electrical connections may beselected from the group consisting of clamping connectors, jaws,sockets, and sleeves.

Each of the circuit breaker spaces may be configured to rotationallyreceive the circuit breaker about an axis of the circuit breaker space.The base pan line phase, line neutral, load phase, and load neutralelectrical connections within each circuit breaker space may be disposedwithin the circuit breaker spaces such that electrical contact with therespective circuit breaker electrical connections is made sequentiallywhen the circuit breaker is rotationally received within the circuitbreaker space.

The base pan load phase and load neutral connections may be arrangedwithin each circuit breaker space such that electrical contact with therespective circuit breaker load phase and load neutral electricalconnections is established before the circuit breaker line neutralconnection establishes electrical contact with the respective base panline neutral connection.

The base pan line neutral connections within each circuit breaker spacemay be arranged such that electrical contact with the respective circuitbreaker line neutral electrical connection is established before thecircuit breaker line phase connection establishes electrical contactwith the respective base pan line phase connection.

The base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections may bepositioned on a sidewall of the base pan. The base pan load phase andload neutral electrical connections may include respective wireconnection portions. The wire connection portions may be slidablyreceived in correspondingly shaped recesses in the sidewall of the basepan such that the base pan load phase and load neutral electricalconnections are removably connectable to the base pan.

The axis may include a protrusion disposed on a surface of the base pansuch that the circuit breaker is rotatably movable with respect to thebase pan via engagement of the circuit breaker and the protrusion. Theprotrusion may be a rib.

Each circuit breaker space may include a mechanical coupling thatprovides at least one of a tactile and an audible feedback when thecircuit breaker is at least partially received within the circuitbreaker space. The mechanical coupling may be a snap-fit connection.

The base pan may include a recess on a sidewall thereof, the recess maybe disposed between the base pan load neutral and load phase electricalconnections. A protrusion on an end of the circuit breaker may bereceived within the recess to provide a dielectric barrier between thebase pan load neutral and load phase electrical connections when thecircuit breaker is received within the circuit breaker space.

Each circuit breaker space may include an arcuate pad, the arcuate padmay be arranged and configured to slidably receive a correspondingarcuate rib located on a bottom surface of the circuit breaker when thecircuit breaker is rotationally received within the circuit breakerspace.

A circuit breaker is disclosed comprising: a housing having alongitudinal axis, top and bottom surfaces, and first and second ends,the housing can further comprise a plurality of electrical connectionsfor coupling line and load electrical connections of a load center tothe circuit breaker, the plurality of electrical connections including:a load phase electrical connection and a load neutral electricalconnection disposed adjacent the second end of the housing; and a lineneutral electrical connection and a line phase electrical connectiondisposed adjacent the bottom surface of the housing, the line phaseelectrical connection positioned adjacent the first end and the lineneutral electrical connection disposed between the first and secondends; the housing further comprising one or more hook members disposedon the second end of the housing, the one or more hook members eachhaving a hook axis oriented perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thehousing; wherein the one or more hook members are configured to engageone or more ribs of the load center so that the circuit breaker isrotatable about the hook axis to align and engage the plurality ofcircuit breaker electrical connections with a plurality of electricalconnections associated with the load center.

First and second shoulders can be disposed on the bottom surface of thecircuit breaker on opposite sides of the line phase electricalconnection, the first and second shoulder configured to engage surfacesof the load center to lock the circuit breaker to the load center. Aprotrusion can be disposed on the second end of the housing, theprotrusion disposed between the load phase electrical connection and aload neutral electrical connection, the protrusion providing adielectric barrier between the load neutral electrical connection andthe load phase electrical connection. First and second arcuate ribs canbe disposed on the bottom surface of the housing, the first and secondarcuate ribs configured to slidingly engage corresponding arcuatesurfaces of the load center. The one or more hook members may includefirst and second hook members positioned above the load phase electricalconnection and a load neutral electrical connection, respectively, onthe second end of the housing.

A modular base pan for use in a load center is also disclosed. The basepan may include a plurality of line phase electrical connections, aplurality of line neutral electrical connections, a plurality of loadneutral electrical connections, and a plurality of load phase electricalconnections for electrically coupling to corresponding electricalconnections of one or more circuit breakers positioned within the loadcenter. The base pan may include a top pan portion and a bottom panportion fastened together.

The modular base pan may also include one or more line phase bus barsand one or more line neutral bus bars positioned between the top andbottom pan portions. The one or more line phase bus bars may include theplurality of line phase electrical connections and the one or more lineneutral bus bars may include the plurality of line neutral electricalconnections.

The bottom pan portion may be arranged and configured to receive the oneor more line phase bus bars and one or more line neutral bus bars sothat the plurality of line phase electrical connections and theplurality of line neutral electrical connections are located in apredetermined position. The top pan portion may include a plurality ofopenings or apertures formed therein for receiving the plurality of linephase electrical connections and the plurality of line neutralelectrical connections therein.

The top and bottom pan portions may include a plurality of interlockingprotrusions and recesses so that the top pan portion can besnapped-fitted to the bottom pan portion. The bottom pan portion mayinclude a plurality of protrusions extend upwardly therefrom on oppositefirst and second lateral sides for engaging a corresponding surfaceformed on the top pan portion, respectively.

The bottom pan portion may include one or more rows of protrusionsextending upwardly therefrom, the one or more rows located between firstand second lateral sides of the bottom pan portion. The top pan portionmay include a plurality of openings or apertures for receiving theplurality of protrusions so that the plurality of protrusions can engagea corresponding surface formed on the top pan portion, respectively.

The top pan portion may include first and second top pan modulesfastened together, and the bottom pan portion includes first and secondbottom pan modules fastened together. The first and second bottom panmodules may include interlocking projections and recesses for securingthe first and second bottom pan modules together. The interlockingprojections and recesses may be located on first and second lateralsides of each bottom pan module. The first and second bottom pan modulesmay include overlapping sections so that one of the first and secondbottom pan modules partially resides on the other of the first andsecond bottom pan modules.

A method for coupling a circuit breaker to a load center is disclosed.The method can include: engaging a hook member of a circuit breaker witha rib of a base pan of a load center; rotating the circuit breaker aboutthe rib to achieve a first rotational position in which load phase andload neutral electrical connections of the circuit breaker establisheselectrical contact with load phase and load neutral electricalconnections of the base pan, respectively; rotating the circuit breakerabout the rib to achieve a second rotational position in which a lineneutral electrical connection of the circuit breaker establisheselectrical contact with a line neutral electrical connection of the basepan; and rotating the circuit breaker about the rib to achieve a thirdrotational position in which a line phase electrical connection of thecircuit breaker establishes electrical contact with a line phaseelectrical connection of the base pan.

The method may further include, when the circuit breaker is positionedin the third rotational position, engaging a mechanical coupling (e.g.,a snap-fit connection) between the circuit breaker and the base pan torotationally lock the circuit breaker to the base pan.

In the first rotational position, the circuit breaker load phase andload neutral electrical connections establish electrical contact withthe base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections,respectively, while the circuit breaker line neutral electricalconnection and the base pan line neutral electrical connection are notin electrical contact with each other, and the circuit breaker linephase electrical connection and the base pan line phase electricalconnection are not in electrical contact with each other. In the secondrotational position, the circuit breaker line neutral electricalconnection establishes electrical contact with the base pan line neutralelectrical connection, and the circuit breaker load phase and loadneutral electrical connections are in electrical contact with the basepan load phase and load neutral electrical connections, respectively,while the circuit breaker line phase electrical connection and the basepan line phase electrical connection are not in electrical contact witheach other. In the third rotational position, the circuit breaker linephase electrical connection establishes electrical contact with the basepan line phase electrical connection, and the circuit breaker load phaseand load neutral electrical connections are in electrical contact withthe base pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections,respectively, and the circuit breaker line neutral electricalconnections and the base pan line neutral electrical connections are inelectrical contact with each other.

The step of rotating the circuit breaker about the rib to achieve afirst rotational position includes receiving a projection of the circuitbreaker within a recess of the base pan between the load phase and loadneutral electrical connections of the base pan. The step of rotating thecircuit breaker about the rib to achieve a first rotational position caninclude engaging first and second arcuate ribs disposed on a bottomsurface of the circuit breaker with correspondingly arcuate shaped firstand second pad members of the base pan. The step of rotating the circuitbreaker about the rib to achieve a third rotational position includesengaging first and second supports of the base pad with a load phaseopening and a load neutral opening, respectively, of the circuitbreaker.

A load center is disclosed, comprising: a base pan having a longitudinalaxis, the base pan including a top pan portion, and a bottom panportion, and a plurality of bus bars sandwiched between the top panportion and the bottom pan portion, each of the plurality of bus barscomprising: a flat bar portion having a longitudinal axis orientedparallel to the longitudinal axis of the base pan, a plurality ofelectrical connection extension portions that extend perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the respective bus bar; wherein each of theplurality of electrical connection extension portions end in arespective electrical connection.

The plurality of electrical connection extension portions may lie in asame plane as the flat bar portion of the associated bus bar.

The plurality of bus bars can comprise first and second line phase busbars and first and second line neutral bus bars. In use, the first andsecond line neutral bus bars may be electrically coupled while the firstand second line phase bus bars are electrically separated (e.g., notelectrically coupled).

The top and bottom pan portions can comprise a mechanical coupling(e.g., a snap engagement feature) to couple the top pan portion to thebottom pan portion.

The electrical connection of each electrical connection extensionportion can be oriented perpendicular to the plane of the electricalconnection extension portion. The top pan portion can include aplurality of openings for receiving the respective electricalconnections of the plurality of electrical connection extension portionstherethrough. At least some of the electrical connections can compriseline neutral electrical connections, the line neutral electricalconnections may include a triangular shape to reduce insertion forceduring engagement of the line neutral electrical connections withopposing line neutral electrical connections of a circuit breaker.

The bottom pan portion can comprise first and second pedestal membersfor supporting load phase and load neutral electrical connections of thebase pan, the top pan portion comprising recesses into which wireengagement portions of the load phase and load neutral electricalconnections are received and retained.

The top pan portion can comprise a plurality of top pan modules and thebottom pan portion can further comprise a plurality of bottom panmodules, wherein the bottom pan modules each have a barbed projection atone end and a recess at an opposite end, the barbed projection and therecess provided on a corresponding lateral side of the bottom panmodule, wherein the barbed projection of a first of the plurality ofbottom pan modules is receivable in the recess of a second of theplurality of bottom pan modules to fix the first and second bottom panmodules together. Each of the plurality of bottom pan modules may beconfigured to accommodate a predetermined number of the plurality ofelectrical connection extension portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the disclosed device willnow be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary circuit breaker and loadcenter system according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a detail view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an another detail view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front, isometric view of an exemplary circuit breaker of thesystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear, isometric view of the exemplary circuit breaker ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a bottom, rear, isometric view of the exemplary circuitbreaker of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a bottom, front isometric view of the exemplary circuitbreaker of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a bottom, side isometric view of the exemplary circuit breakerof FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a side view of the exemplary circuit breaker of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a detail view of a base pan portion of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a detail view of exemplary electrical connections of the basepan portion of FIG. 10 for a single circuit breaker;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a snap-fit engagement connection betweenthe circuit breaker and base pan portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an end view of snap-fit engagement connection shown in FIG.12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-section view of an exemplary engagement between thebase pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections and thecircuit breaker load phase and load neutral electrical connections;

FIGS. 15A-17B are a series of isometric views showing the sequentialpositions of an exemplary circuit breaker being engaged with anexemplary base pan;

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of the base pan portion of the system ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a partially disassembled base panportion of FIG. 18;

FIG. 19A is an isometric view of the load phase and load neutralelectrical connections;

FIG. 20 is another isometric view of a partially disassembled base panportion of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is an isometric view of a plurality of buses of the base panportion of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the exemplary circuit breaker and loadcenter system including a main circuit breaker and an upper busarrangement;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a ground/neutral link that may beincorporated into a load center system;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of an additional neutral bar that may beincorporated into a load center system;

FIG. 25 is a front view of an exemplary base pan, the base pan includingindicia per one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 26 is a side, perspective view of an exemplary electricalconnection (e.g., terminal block) per one aspect of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connection (e.g.,terminal block) shown in FIG. 26 coupled to a pedestal member; and

FIG. 28 is a top view of the electrical connection (e.g., terminalblock) shown in FIG. 26 coupled to a pedestal member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure is intended to provide exemplary embodiments ofthe disclosed system and method, and these exemplary embodiments shouldnot be interpreted as limiting. One of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that the steps and methods disclosed may easily be reorderedand manipulated into many configurations, provided they are not mutuallyexclusive. As used herein, “a” and “an” may refer to a single orplurality of items and should not be interpreted as exclusively singularunless explicitly stated.

A circuit breaker and panel arrangement are disclosed which utilizemechanical connectors for all input and output electrical connections.The concept allows the panel to be fully wired without the circuitbreakers being installed. The circuit breakers can then be engaged withand retained by the panel via mechanical connections such that theelectrical connections do not need to be relied on for breaker stabilityor retention. A snap-fit feature between the circuit breakers and thepanel provides audible and/or tactile feedback when each circuit breakeris fully engaged with the panel. The disclosed arrangement also includesfeatures in the panel and circuit breaker structure that form integralbarriers to create desired spacing (e.g., over the surface spacing)between load phase and load neutral connections of the breaker and/orpanel structure. As will be appreciated, such barriers may be desirableto prevent arcing between load phase and load neutral connections.

The disclosed arrangement may also include an installation feature inwhich the circuit breakers can be pivotably coupled to the panel androtated into engagement with the electrical connections of the panel.This pivotable connection can be employed to ensure a desired couplingsequence between the electrical connections. For example, the electricalconnections of the circuit breaker and the panel can be arranged so thatas the breaker is rotated into engagement with the panel, the breakermakes contact first with the load phase and load neutral electricalconnections, then with the line neutral electrical connection, andfinally with the line phase electrical connections. As will beappreciated this arrangement can prevent an installer from installing abreaker incorrectly.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary circuit breaker and load centersystem 1 according to the present disclosure is shown. The system 1 mayinclude a panel 2 configured to house a base pan 4 and a plurality ofcircuit breakers 6 removably coupled to the base pan. In use, the basepan 4 and the plurality of circuit breakers 6 may includeinterconnecting electrical connections which may be in any formincluding, for example, blade terminals, screw terminals, bus bars,posts, electrical connectors, stabs, etc. For example, in oneembodiment, the base pan 4 and the plurality of circuit breakers 6 mayinclude interconnecting male and female electrical connections. The maleconnections may be in the form of, for example, blades, pins, prongs,etc. and the female connections may be in the form of, for example,clamping connectors, jaws, sockets, sleeves, etc. As used herein, theinterconnecting electrical connections will be referred to as“electrical connection” without the intent to limit.

The panel 2 may form a generally rectangular enclosure within which thebase pan 4 and circuit breaker 6 are contained. The panel 2 and base pan4 may both have a longitudinal axis A-A which a plurality of circuitbreakers 6 may be adjacent thereto. The circuit breaker 6 may have alongitudinal axis B-B, which in the illustrated embodiment isperpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A of the panel 2, when thecircuit breakers 6 are installed.

A cover and door may be provided for the panel, but for purposes ofclarity these have not been shown. As will be appreciated, the circuitbreaker and load center system 1 may include other elements such as amain breaker, auxiliary buses, wiring connections and the like. For thepurposes of the disclosure, however, such elements are not shown. Inaddition, although the description will proceed in relation to a singlecircuit breaker 6 and the manner of its mechanical and electricalengagement, in a corresponding circuit breaker space, with the base pan4 and panel 2, it will be appreciated that the base pan and panel can beconfigured to receive a plurality of circuit breakers in a similarfashion. For example, as shown, the base pan 4 and panel 2 may beconfigured as a twenty-circuit panel (e.g., capable of receiving up to20 circuit breakers). It is envisioned that the base pan 4 and panel 2may be configured to receive any number of circuit breakers.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the circuit breaker 6 coupled to surface features ofthe base pan 4 in a manner that aligns electrically conductiveelectrical connections of the circuit breaker with correspondingelectrically conductive electrical connections of the base pan 4. In theillustrated embodiment, the circuit breaker 6 may be received by thebase pan 4 such that load phase, load neutral, line phase and lineneutral electrical connections of the base pan align and are engageablewith corresponding electrical connections of the circuit breaker. Itshould be noted that the line phase and line neutral electricalconnections of the base pan may also be commonly referred to as a busbar. In the present disclosure, the line phase and line neutral shall bereferred to as electrical connections throughout without the intent tolimit and the line phase and line neutral may be in the form ofterminals, screw terminals, bus bars, posts, etc.

Coupling the conductive electrical connection of the circuit breaker 6to the load phase, load neutral, and line phase electrical connections40, 42, 12, of the base pan 4 are shown. The connection between the lineneutral electrical connections of the base pan 4 and circuit breaker 6is made underneath the circuit breaker 6 by a line neutral electricalconnection 18.

The circuit breaker 6 may comprise a housing 14 within which can bemounted current carrying components, current sensing components, and atripping and operating mechanism. An actuator 16, may be coupled to thetripping and operating mechanism to operate and/or trip/reset thecircuit breaker 6. As illustrated, the actuator 16 may be in the form ofa rocker switch, however it is envisioned that any form of suitableactuator may be incorporated. The current carrying components mayinclude one or more electrical connections, as will be described ingreater detail later. The current sensing components and the trippingand operating mechanism may be any appropriate sensing, tripping andoperating mechanism known in the art.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base pan 4 may include a pluralityof line phase electrical connections 12 and line neutral electricalconnections 18 spaced apart along a line parallel to the longitudinalaxis A-A of the panel 2. The number of such line phase and line neutralelectrical connections 12, 18 may be selected to accommodate apredetermined plurality of circuit breakers 6 within the panel 2. Aspreviously mentioned, the circuit breaker and load center system 1 maybe configured as a twenty-circuit panel, a thirty-circuit panel, aforty-two-circuit breaker panel, etc. As can be seen, the circuitbreaker 6 is coupled to the base pan 4 so that a longitudinal axis B-Bof the breaker is oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A ofthe panel 2.

The circuit breaker 6 may be any appropriate type of circuit breaker nowknown or hereafter developed. For example, the circuit breaker 6 may be,for example, a residential circuit breaker or a commercial circuitbreaker, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art.Moreover, the circuit breaker 6 may be a single pole, double pole,triple pole, duplex/tandem, triplex (2 pole common trip combined withtwo independent single poles), quadplex (two 2 pole common tripbreakers, etc.) circuit breaker. In addition, circuit breaker 6 may beprovided in any number of amperages. For example, the plug on circuitbreaker may be provided in any amperage up to the limitations of the luginstalled in the panel 2. Thus, in some embodiments the disclosed panel2 can accommodate circuit breakers 6 with amperages above theselimitations by utilizing internal lugs for direct connection. As such,the circuit breaker and load center system 1 can accommodate both plugon and internal lugs type circuit breakers 6. The disclosed panel 2 mayalso accommodate circuit breakers with various types of interruptingmechanisms. Non-limiting examples of such types of interruptingmechanisms are: thermal (e.g. bi-metallic element), magnetic (e.g.solenoid driven), hydraulic-magnetic (e.g. solenoid to drive a plungerinside a cylinder of dampening fluid), thermal magnetic, or any suitablecombination thereof. Likewise, the disclosed panel 2 may accommodatecircuit breakers providing various types of protection. Non-limitingexamples of such types of protection are: overcurrent, GFCI, AFCI, GFCI& AFCI, GFPE, surge, or any suitable combinations thereof. Additionally,such circuit breakers may include any suitable sensing elements and/orcircuitry such as but not limited to: current transformers, differentialcurrent sensors, grounded-neutral detection, high frequency detection,or any suitable combination thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, an exemplary circuit breaker 6 according tothe disclosure will be described in greater detail. The circuit breaker6 may include a housing 14 having first and second sides 20, 22, firstand second ends 24, 26, a top surface 28 and a bottom surface 30. In theillustrated embodiment, the circuit breaker 6 may include featuresconfigured to engage surfaces of the base pan 4 so that the first end 24of the housing is positioned directly adjacent the axis A-A of the panel2, and the second end 26 of the housing engages a sidewall portion ofthe base pan 4.

The top surface 28 of the circuit breaker housing 14 may include theswitch actuator 16, positioned at a location easily accessible by auser. The bottom surface 30 of the housing may include surface featuresthat cooperate with corresponding features of the base pan 4 to guidethe circuit breaker 6 into a desired alignment with the base pan 4 sothat the electrical connections of the circuit breaker 6 engage theelectrical connections of the base pan 4 in a desired manner andsequence, as will be described in greater detail later.

The circuit breaker 6 may include a plurality of openings configured toreceive the different electrical connections of the base pan 4. FIG. 4illustrates a line phase electrical connection opening 32 disposed in abottom portion 34 of the first end 24 of the housing 14. The line phaseelectrical connection opening 32 may extend between the bottom portion34 of the first end 24 and the bottom surface 30 directly adjacent tothe first end 24 so that a portion of one of the line phase electricalconnections 12 of the base pan 4 can be received through the bottomsurface and first end. This can best be seen in FIG. 3 in which aportion of one of the line phase electrical connections 12 is engagedwith, and has a portion extending away from, the first end 24 of theinstalled circuit breaker 6. As will be appreciated such a designenables two adjacent circuit breakers 6 to be engaged in an oppositedirection with a single line phase electrical connection 12 of the basepan 4.

A circuit breaker line phase electrical connection 36 can be disposedwithin the line phase electrical connection opening 32 so that it canelectrically contact one of the line phase electrical connections 12 ofthe base pan 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit breaker linephase electrical connection 36 may be in the form of a U-shaped clipelement having first and second spring arms 36 a, 36 b positioned inopposing relation to each other, and separated by a distance that issmaller than a thickness of the line phase electrical connection 12 ofthe base pan 4. Thus, when the circuit breaker 6 is properly positionedwithin the base pan 4 (as will be described in greater detail below),one of the line phase electrical connections 12 of the base pan 4 can bereceived between the first and second spring arms 36 a, 36 b (FIG. 7).The spring arms 36 a, 36 b of the circuit breaker line phase electricalconnection 36 may clamp against the line electrical connection 12 of thebase pan 4, enhancing contact to ensure a desired mechanical andelectrical connection is securely made between the electricalconnections.

Referring to FIG. 5, a load phase electrical connection opening 38 and aload neutral electrical connection opening 39 may be disposed in asecond end 26 of the housing 14 so that respective load phase and loadneutral electrical connection 40, 42 (see FIG. 10) of the base pan 4 canbe received directly through the second end 26 of the housing 14. Acircuit breaker load phase electrical connection 44 can be disposedwithin load phase electrical connection opening 38, and a circuitbreaker load neutral electrical connection 46 can be disposed withinload neutral electrical connection opening 39, so that the electricalconnections 44, 46 can electrically contact the respective load phaseand load neutral electrical connections 40, 42 of the base pan 4.

In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit breaker load phase electricalconnection 44 and the load neutral electrical connection 46 each may bein the form of a U-shaped clip element having first and second springarms 44 a, 44 b, 46 a, 46 b positioned in opposing relation to eachother, and separated by a distance that is smaller than a thickness ofthe load phase electrical connection and the load neutral electricalconnection 40, 42, respectively, of the base pan 4. Thus arranged, whenthe circuit breaker 6 is aligned with the base pan 4, a pair of loadphase and load neutral electrical connections 40, 42 of the base pan 4can be received between the first and second spring arms 44 a, 44 b, 46a, 46 b (see FIG. 14). The spring arms 44 a, 44 b, 46 a, 46 b of thecircuit breaker load phase and load neutral electrical connections 44,46 may clamp against the load phase and load neutral electricalconnection 40, 42 of the base pan 4, enhancing contact to ensure adesired mechanical and electrical connection is made between theelectrical connections.

FIG. 6 illustrates a line neutral electrical connection opening 48disposed in the bottom surface 30 of the housing 14 so that a portion ofone of the line neutral electrical connections 18 of the base pan 4 canbe received through the bottom surface 30. A circuit breaker lineneutral electrical connection 50 can be disposed within the line neutralelectrical connection opening 48 so that it can mechanically andelectrically contact a line neutral electrical connection 18 of the basepan 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit breaker line neutralelectrical connection 50 may be in the form of a U-shaped clip elementhaving first and second spring arms 50 a, 50 b positioned in opposingrelation to each other, and separated by a distance that is smaller thana thickness of the line neutral electrical connection 18 of the base pan4. Thus arranged, when the circuit breaker 6 is aligned with the basepan 4, one of the line neutral electrical connections 18 of the base pan4 can be received between the first and second spring arms 50 a, 50 b.The spring arms 50 a, 50 b of the circuit breaker line neutralelectrical connection 50 may clamp against the line neutral electricalconnection 18 of the base pan 4, enhancing contact to ensure a desiredmechanical and electrical connection is made between the electricalconnections.

As will be appreciated, the line phase, line neutral, load phase andload neutral electrical connections 36, 50, 44, 46 of the circuitbreaker 6 may all be electrically coupled directly or indirectly to thecurrent sensing components and the tripping and operating mechanismdisposed within the housing 14 so that the circuit breaker 6 can operateto interrupt if an overcurrent, or other fault, condition is sensed bythe sensing components, thus protecting one or more electrical loadsreceiving power via the panel 2.

As mentioned, the base pan 4 and circuit breaker 6 may have one or moresurface features that cooperate to align the circuit breaker 6 with thebase pan 4 so that one or more electrical connections 36, 50, 44, 46 ofthe circuit breaker 6 electrically contact with one or more electricalconnections 12, 18, 40, 42 of the base pan 4 in a desired fashion. Aswill be discussed in greater detail later, the surface features of thebase pan 4 and circuit breaker 6 may also serve to mechanically couplethe circuit breaker 6 to the base pan 4 so that the electricalconnections are not required to perform a mechanical retaining orcoupling function. Further, the surfaces features of the base pan 4 andcircuit breaker 6 can be arranged to provide a desired sequence ofconnections between the electrical connections 36, 50, 44, 46 of thecircuit breaker 6 and the electrical connections 12, 18, 40, 42 of thebase pan 4.

In some embodiments, the circuit breaker 6 and base pan 4 may havefeatures that enable the circuit breaker to pivotably engage the basepan 4 so that the circuit breaker 6 can be “swung” into engagement withthe base pan 4 and its terminals 12, 18, 40, 42. For example, as shownin FIG. 5, the housing 14 of the circuit breaker 6 may include first andsecond hook members 52, 54 disposed in a central region 56 of the secondend 26. In the orientation shown in FIG. 5, the first hook member 52 ispositioned above the load phase electrical connection 44 of the circuitbreaker 6 while the second hook member 54 is positioned above the loadneutral electrical connection 46 of the circuit breaker 6. Asillustrated, the first and second hook members 52, 54 can be discretehook elements spaced laterally apart by a distance “D” (see FIG. 6).Alternatively, the first and second hook members 52, 54 could bereplaced by a single hook member, more than two hook members (e.g.,three hook members), or alternate engagement features having a differentshape entirely. Thus, it will be appreciated that although theillustrated embodiment includes first and second hook members 52, 54,other mechanical engagement arrangements can be used in lieu of hooks.

The first and second hook members 52, 54 may be oriented so that theyform respective first and second hook recesses 58, 60 that open towardthe top surface 28 of the housing 14. The first and second hook members52, 54 may further be oriented such that the first and second hookrecesses 58, 60 define a hook recess axis C-C that is orientedperpendicular to the longitudinal axis B-B of the circuit breaker 6. Aswill be described in greater detail later, the arrangement of the firstand second hook members 52, 54 may allow the circuit breaker 6 to behooked onto respective first and second ribs 62, 64 (FIGS. 10 and 11)disposed on a sidewall portion 66 of the base pan 4 so that the circuitbreaker 6 can pivot into engagement with the base pan 4.

To further aid in aligning the circuit breaker 6 to the base pan 4, thehousing 14 of the circuit breaker 6 may include first and second arcuateribs 68, 70 disposed on the bottom surface 30 of the housing 14 adjacentthe second end 26. The first and second arcuate ribs 68, 70 may be sizedand shaped to contact corresponding arcuate support surfaces 72, 74(FIGS. 10 and 11) of the base pan 4. As such, when the first and secondhook members 52, 54 of the circuit breaker 6 are engaged with the firstand second ribs 62, 64 of the base pan 4 and the circuit breaker 6 isrotated in a first direction with respect to the base pan 4, the firstand second arcuate ribs 68, 70 of the circuit breaker 6 may slide alongthe first and second arcuate support surfaces 72, 74 of the base pan 4.

As mentioned, it may be desirable to confine the movement range of thecircuit breaker 6 when it engages the base pan 4. It may also bedesirable to firmly support the circuit breaker 6 once it is fullyengaged with the base pan 4. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the basepan 4 may include additional guiding features to ensure that a desiredalignment and engagement between respective electrical connections ofthe circuit breaker 6 and base pan 4 is achieved. In some embodiments,each of the arcuate support surfaces 72, 74 of the base pan 4 may have asidewall 76, 78 configured to engage respective side surfaces 80, 82 ofthe first and second arcuate ribs 68, 70 of the housing 14. Thus, as thecircuit breaker 6 is rotated into engagement with the base pan 4, thesidewalls 76, 78 of the base pan 4 may engage and confine the sidesurfaces 80, 82 of the circuit breaker 6 therebetween to preventmovement of the circuit breaker 6 in the direction of the longitudinalaxis A-A of the panel 2.

To provide additional stability, the base pan 4 may further includefirst and second lateral supports 84, 86 positioned on the sidewallportion 66 of the base pan 4 just below the load phase electricalconnection 40 and the line load neutral electrical connection 42. Thefirst and second lateral supports 84, 86 may be positioned andconfigured to be at least partially received within the load phaseelectrical connection opening 38 and the load neutral electricalconnection opening 39 in the second end 26 of the housing 14 when thecircuit breaker 6 is fully engaged with the base pan 4. As will beappreciated, when the first and second lateral supports 84, 86 arereceived within the load phase and load neutral electrical connectionopenings 38, 39 of the housing 14, the first and second lateral supports84, 86 may prevent movement of the second end 26 of the circuit breakerin a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A of the panel 2.

Once the circuit breaker 6 has been rotated into full engagement withthe base pan 4, it may be desirable to positively retain the circuitbreaker 6 in the fully engaged position so that its electricalconnections with the base pan 4 are not compromised. Thus, the circuitbreaker 6 and base pan 4 may have additional complementary features thatprovide for mechanical coupling of the breaker 6 to the base pan 4. Insome embodiments, this coupling may be provided by a snap-fit connectionbetween the circuit breaker 6 and the base pan 4.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show an exemplary snap-fit engagement feature for thecircuit breaker 6 and base pan 4. In the illustrated embodiment, thebase pan 4 can include first and second protrusions 90, 92 that extendoutwardly from the base pan 4 on opposite sides of each line phaseelectrical connection 12 of the base pan 4. The first and secondprotrusions 90, 92 may extend toward the circuit breaker 6 and may beengageable with respective shoulders 94, 96 on the bottom surface 30 ofthe housing 14 of the circuit breaker 6 when the circuit breaker 6 isengaged with the base pan 4. In the illustrated embodiment, theshoulders 94, 96 are disposed on the bottom surface 30 of the housing 14directly adjacent the first end 24 of the housing 14 so that they lie onopposite sides of the line phase electrical connection opening 32 of thehousing 14. The first and second protrusions 90, 92 may each have a lipportion 90 a, 92 a disposed at distal end thereof. In some embodiments,the lip portions 90 a, 92 a may include barbs that are oriented so as toengage the shoulders 94, 96 of the housing 14 of the circuit breaker 6.

Thus arranged, as the circuit breaker 6 is pressed into engagement withthe base pan 4 so that the line phase electrical connection 36 of thecircuit breaker 6 electrically contacts the line phase electricalconnection 12 of the base pan 4, the bottom surface 30 of the housing 14can engage the first and second protrusions 90, 92 such that theprotrusions 90, 92 flex laterally outward as the bottom surface 30 movestoward the base pan 4. As the circuit breaker 6 approaches fullengagement with the base pan 4, the lip portions 90 a, 92 a pass overthe shoulders 94, 96 allowing the first and second protrusions 90, 92 toflex back laterally inward as the lip portions 90 a, 92 a engage theshoulders 94, 96. In the engaged position the lip portions 90 a, 92 aoverlie the shoulders 94, 96, thereby preventing reverse movement of thecircuit breaker 6 with respect to the base pan 4.

In addition to preventing unintended reverse movement of the circuitbreaker 6 with respect to the base pan 4, it will be appreciated thatthe first and second protrusions 90, 92 can prevent movement of thefirst end 24 of the circuit breaker 6 in a direction parallel to thelongitudinal axis A-A of the panel 2.

It will also be appreciated that although the illustrated embodimentincludes protrusions 90, 92 on the base pan 4 that are engageable withshoulders 94, 96 on the circuit breaker 6, the arrangement could bereversed so that the protrusions could be provided on the circuitbreaker and the shoulders could be provided on the base pan.

As will be understood, it may be important to maintain a minimumdielectric spacing between load phase and load neutral electricalconnections on the circuit breaker 6 and the panel 2. With the disclosedarrangement, a barrier member 88 (FIGS. 5 and 14) may be disposed on thesecond end 26 of the housing 14 between load phase electrical connectionopening 38 and a load neutral electrical connection opening 39. Thisbarrier member 88 is thus positioned between the load phase electricalconnection 44 and the load neutral electrical connection 46 of thecircuit breaker 6. The barrier member 88 may also serve to provide adesired dielectric spacing between the load phase electrical connection40 and the load neutral electrical connection 42 of the base pan 4.Thus, in some embodiments, the base pan 4 may include a recess 98disposed on the sidewall 66 of the base pan 4 between the load phaseelectrical connection 40 and the load neutral electrical connection 42of the base pan 4. The recess 98 may be sized to receive the barriermember 88 therein when the circuit breaker 6 is engaged with the basepan 4.

FIG. 14 shows the interposition of the barrier member 88 between theload phase electrical connection 40 and the load neutral electricalconnection 42 of the base pan 4. The width, height, and thickness of thebarrier member 88 may be selected to maintain a desired dielectricspacing, and to maintain appropriate over-air and surface distances inaccordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

Referring now to FIGS. 15A-17B, an engagement sequence between thecircuit breaker 6 and base pan 4 will be described in greater detail. Ascan be seen in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the first and second hook members 52,54 of the circuit breaker 6 may be initially engaged with the first andsecond ribs 62, 64 disposed on the sidewall portion 66 of the base pan4. In this initial engagement position, the circuit breaker 6 may bepositioned so that its longitudinal axis B-B forms an oblique angle α1with respect to a plane formed by the base pan 4 (e.g. with respect tothe rear surface of panel 2). From the initial engagement position, thecircuit breaker 6 may be rotated about the first and second ribs 62, 64(i.e., about the hook recess axis C-C) to achieve a first rotationalposition or configuration (collectively referred to herein as positionwithout the intent to limit) in which the load phase and load neutralelectrical connections 44, 46 of the circuit breaker 6 electricallycontact the load phase and load neutral electrical connections 40, 42 ofthe base pan 4. Although not visible in FIGS. 15A, 15B, the barriermember 88 disposed on the second end 26 of the circuit breaker 6 isreceived within the recess 98 of the base pan 4 between the load phaseand load neutral electrical connections 40, 42 of the base pan 4. Inthis position, the first and second arcuate ribs 68, 70 of the circuitbreaker 6 contact, and slide along, the corresponding first and secondarcuate support surfaces 72, 74 of the base pan 4. In this position,only the load phase and load neutral electrical connections 44, 46 ofthe circuit breaker 6 are in electrical contact with the load phase andload neutral electrical connections 40, 42 of the base pan 4,respectively. The line phase and line neutral electrical connections 36,50 of the circuit breaker 6 are not yet in electrical contact with theline phase and line neutral electrical connections 12, 18 of the basepan 4, respectively.

The circuit breaker 6 may be further rotated about the first and secondribs 62, 64 (i.e., axis C-C) to achieve a second rotational position inwhich the line neutral electrical connection 50 of the circuit breaker 6establishes electrical contact with the line neutral electricalconnection 18 of the base pan 4. This position is shown in FIGS. 16A,16B. As can be seen, in the second rotational position, the angle α2formed between the longitudinal axis B-B of the circuit breaker 6 andthe plane formed by the base pan 4 is smaller than angle α1 of the firstrotational position. As also can be seen, the line phase electricalconnections 36, 12 of the circuit breaker 6 and base pan 4 are not yetin electrical contact in the second rotational position.

The circuit breaker 6 may be further rotated about the first and secondribs 62, 64 (i.e., axis C-C) to achieve a third rotational position inwhich the line phase electrical connection 36 of the circuit breaker 6establishes electrical contact with the line phase electrical connection12 of the base pan 4. This position is shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B. As canbe seen, in the third rotational position the longitudinal axis B-B ofthe circuit breaker 6 is parallel to the plane formed by the base pan 4.As also can be seen, when the circuit breaker 6 is positioned in thethird rotational position, the snap-fit connection between the circuitbreaker 6 and the base pan 4 is completed, rotationally coupling thecircuit breaker 6 to the base pan 4. Thus, in the third rotationalposition the first and second protrusions 90, 92 of the base pan 4engage the first and second shoulders 94, 96 on the bottom surface 30 ofthe housing 14 of the circuit breaker 6. Finally, although not visiblein FIGS. 17A and 17B, in the third rotational position the first andsecond supports 84, 86 of the base pan 4 are engaged with the load phaseelectrical connection opening 38 and load neutral electrical connectionopening 39 of the circuit breaker, respectively.

In the third rotational position, the circuit breaker 6 is mechanicallycoupled to the base pan 4, and all electrical connections are engagedbetween the circuit breaker 6 and base pan 4. In addition, as will beappreciated, the mechanical interconnection features of the disclosedsystem require a user to follow a predetermined electrical connectioncoupling sequence, with line phase electrical connections 12, 36 of thebase pan 4 and circuit breaker 6 being the last electrical connectionsto be connected. This ensures a safe coupling sequence in which the linephase electrical connections are only connected once all otherelectrical connections have been established.

Referring now to FIGS. 18-21, exemplary features of the disclosed basepan 4 will be described in greater detail. As previously described, thebase pan 4 may include a plurality of features for engaging andretaining a plurality of circuit breakers 6 thereto. The base pan 4 mayalso include a plurality of line phase electrical connections 12, lineneutral electrical connections 18, load phase electrical connections 40and load neutral electrical connections 42 for electrically coupling tocorresponding electrical connections of a plurality of circuit breakers6 in the manner previously described.

In the illustrated embodiment, the base pan 4 can include a top panportion 102 and a bottom pan portion 104 with first and second linephase bus bars 106, 108 and first and second line neutral bus bars 110,112 sandwiched therebetween. The first and second line phase bus bars106, 108 can include the plurality of line phase electrical connections12, while the first and second line neutral bus bars 110, 112 caninclude the plurality of line neutral electrical connections 18.

The bottom pan portion 104 can be configured to receive the first andsecond line bus bars 106, 108 and the first and second line neutral busbars 110, 112 to position the respective line phase and line neutralelectrical connections 12, 18 in a desired position for engaging thecircuit breakers 6 that will be engaged with the base pan 4.

The sandwich construction is best seen in FIGS. 19 and 20. In FIG. 19 aportion or module of the top pan portion 102 has been removed to betterillustrate module 104 b of the bottom pan portion 104, the first andsecond line bus bars 106, 108, and the first and second line neutral busbars 110, 112. In FIG. 20, portions or modules of both the top pan 102and the bottom pan portion 104 have been removed to better illustratethe first and second line bus bars 106, 108, and the first and secondline neutral bus bars 110, 112. This modular arrangement enables asystem to be built to accommodate a predetermined number of circuitbreakers 6. Thus, larger or smaller numbers of circuit breakers 6 may beaccommodated depending on the number of pan portion modules 102 a, 104a, 104 b, etc. installed. For example, in one embodiment, 8 breakermodules and 12 breaker modules may be constructed. In use, if atwenty-panel circuit breaker was desired, a main circuit breaker modulewould be connected to an 8-breaker module 104 a and a 12-breaker module104 b. 8 breaker modules and 12 breaker modules are merely exemplary andnot limiting, other sized modules can be used such as, for example, 5breaker modules, 10 breaker modules, etc.

As will be appreciated, the top and bottom pan portions 102, 104 can befastened together using any appropriate fastening technique, includinggluing, welding, mechanical fasteners, and the like. In the illustratedembodiment, the top and bottom pan portions 102, 104 include amechanical fastening arrangement in which a plurality of protrusions 114extend outwardly from the bottom pan portion 104 on opposite first andsecond lateral sides 116, 118 of each bottom pan portion 104. Inaddition and/or alternatively, the bottom pan portion 104 may includerows of protrusions 114 extending outwardly from the bottom pan portion104 located between the first and second lateral sides 116, 118. Theprotrusions 114 may extend toward the opposing top pan portion 102 andmay extend thru corresponding openings 115 formed in the top pan portion102 so that the protrusions 114 may be engageable with respective lips120 or other surface features on the top pan portion 102 when the toppan portion 102 is engaged with the bottom pan portion 104. In someembodiments, the protrusions 114 can include barbs 122 that are orientedso as contact the lips 120 of the top pan portion 102.

Adjacent portions or modules 104 a of the bottom pan portion 104 canalso include features so that adjacent portions or modules 104 a, 104 bof the bottom pan portion 104 can engage each other. Any appropriatefastening technique could be used, including gluing, welding, mechanicalfasteners, and the like. In one embodiment, the portions or modules 104a, 104 b may include a mechanical fastening arrangement similar to thatdescribed above for fastening the top and bottom pan portions 102, 104together. Thus, the first portion or module 104 a can be provided with aprojection 124 while the second module 104 b can be provided with acorresponding recess 126. These projections 124 and recesses 126 can beprovided on the first and second lateral sides 116, 118 of each bottompan portion 104. Alternatively, and/or in addition, the modules 104 a,104 b may include overlapping sections 105 (FIG. 19) so that, forexample, bottom pan portion module 104 b can sit on bottom pan portion104. The bottom pan portion modules 104 b can thus be snapped togetherby engaging the projection 124 of one module 104 a with the recess 126of an adjacent module 104 b. In addition, protruding tabs and receivingpockets 123 (FIG. 19A) may be provided on individual portions to isolatecurrent carrying members from each other and grounded/ungrounded metalsurfaces to maintain appropriate over-air and surface distances inaccordance with applicable regulatory requirements.

As can be seen, the bottom pan portion 104 may include collar members128 that engage and align individual ones of the plurality of line phaseelectrical connections 12. In the illustrated embodiment, these collarmembers 128 can extend through corresponding openings 130 in the top panportion 102. These collar members 128 may be sized and shaped to isolatecurrent carrying members from each other and from grounded/ungroundedmetal surfaces to maintain appropriate over-air and surface distances inaccordance with applicable regulatory requirements. For example, collarmembers 128 may isolate first and second line phase bus bars 106, 108from one another.

The bottom pan portion 104 may also have features for aligning the firstand second line neutral bus bars 110, 112 and the plurality of lineneutral electrical connections 18. In addition, the top pan portion 102may include openings 132 through which the plurality of line neutralelectrical connections 18 protrude.

The bottom pan portion 104 may also provide support for the load phaseand load neutral electrical connections 40, 42. Referring to FIG. 19A,in the illustrated embodiment, the bottom pan portion 104 may includefirst and second pedestal members 134, 136 upon which the load phase andload neutral electrical connections 40, 42 sit. In the illustratedembodiment, the first and second pedestal members 134, 136 may bepositioned directly above the first and second lateral supports 84, 86(FIGS. 10 & 11). Corresponding features of the top pan portion 102 mayalso engage the load phase and load neutral electrical connections 40,42 to clamp the electrical connections in place. The capturedarrangement of the load phase and load neutral electrical connections40, 42 may be seen in FIG. 19A, in which wire engaging portions 40 a, 42a of the load phase and load neutral electrical connections are receivedin correspondingly shaped recesses 138, 140 formed in the sidewallportion 66 of the base pan 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the wireengaging portions 40 a, 42 a are square, while the recesses 138, 140 arealso square. It will be appreciated that this shape is not limiting, andthat the wire engaging portions 40 a, 42 a and recesses 138, 140 mayhave non-square shapes. In some embodiments, a back portion of the loadphase and load neutral electrical connections 40, 42 can have flangesthat snap into the top pan portion 102 to maintain alignment of theelectrical connections.

The disclosed design enables the load phase and load neutral electricalconnections 40, 42 of the base pan 4 to be replaceable. Wires and screwscan be used to connect to the wire engaging portions 40 a, 42 a afterthe wire engaging portions have been snapped into the recesses 138, 140of the base pan 4. Further, in some embodiments the first and secondpedestal members 134, 136 may be selected to have a height sufficient toprovide a desired minimum predetermined spacing (i.e., air gap) betweenthe metal panel 2 and the load phase and load neutral electricalconnections 40, 42 to prevent arcing between the electrical connectionsand the panel.

FIG. 21 shows the bus bars 106, 108, 110, 112 separated from the top andbottom pan portions 102, 104 but still positioned in relation to eachother. As can be seen each of the bus bars 106, 108, 110, 112 includes agenerally flat bar portion 106 a, 108 a, 110 a, 112 a having respectivelongitudinal axes that, when installed, are oriented parallel to thelongitudinal axis A-A of the panel 2 and base pan 4 (see FIG. 1). Eachof the bus bars 106, 108, 110, 112 can also include a plurality ofelectrical connection extension portions 106 b, 108 b, 110 b, 112 b thatextend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the respective bus bar,but within the same plane as the flat bar portions 106 a, 108 a, 110 a,112 a. Each of the plurality of electrical connection extension portions106 b, 108 b, 110 b, 112 b may end in a respective line phase electricalconnection 12 (for the line phase bus bars 106, 108) or a respectiveline neutral electrical connection 18 (for the line neutral bus bars110, 112). As can be seen each of the line phase electrical connections12 and line neutral electrical connections 18 may be orientedperpendicular to the plane in which the associated electrical connectionextension portions 106 b, 108 b, 110 b, 112 b lie. The line phaseelectrical connections 12 and line neutral electrical connections 18 arethus oriented so as to be received through the previously mentionedopenings 130, 132 (FIG. 19) in the top pan portion 102.

As can be seen, the exposed portion of the line phase electricalconnections 12 may be generally rectangular when viewed from down thelongitudinal axis of the line neutral bus bars 110, 112, while theexposed portion of the line neutral electrical connections 18 may begenerally triangular when viewed from the side. The triangular shape ofthe line neutral electrical connections 18 may reduce the insertionforce associated with engaging the line neutral electrical connection 18of the base pan 4 with the line neutral electrical connection 50 of thecircuit breaker 6. The triangular shape of the exposed portion of theline neutral electrical connection 18 may be configured so that it doesnot adversely affect the electrical connection with the line neutralelectrical connection 50 of the circuit breaker 6.

To assemble the base pan 4, the buses 106, 108, 110, 112 can be snappedinto or otherwise engaged with the bottom pan portion(s) 104, and thenthe top pan portion(s) can be snapped onto the bottom pan portion(s) andbuses. The assembled base pan 4 can then be screwed to the panel 2. Insome embodiments, the base pan 4 will have tabs 144 that may includescrew holes for receiving screws for securing the base pan 4 to thepanel 2. Such tabs 144 are best seen in FIG. 19 where they are disposedon first and second lateral sides 116, 118 of the bottom pan portion104.

It will be appreciated that for some circuit breakers (e.g., above 50Amperes), a similar mechanical connection scheme can be used asdescribed in relation to the circuit breaker 6 of FIGS. 4-9. The linephase and line neutral electrical connections may also be the same asdescribed in relation to the circuit breaker 6 of FIGS. 4-9. Load phaseand load neutral electrical connections, however, may be made bytraditional wired connections.

FIG. 22 shows an assembled exemplary circuit breaker and load centersystem 1 including a main circuit breaker 145 and an upper busarrangement 146. In some embodiments, the neutral bar that connects theleft and right neutral busses crosses over the line electricalconnections via a protecting “bridge” that isolates the neutral bussesfrom the phase busses to maintain desired over-air and surface distancesin accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. In someembodiments, referring to FIG. 23, a ground/neutral link 160 can beprovided. If panel 2 is used as a service entrance, the ground/neutrallink 160 is used to bond the neutral busses to ground. If panel 2 isused as a sub-panel, the ground/neutral link 160 is removed in order toisolate the neutral busses from ground. As will be appreciated, theupper bus is optional accessory. Referring to FIG. 24, an additionalneutral bar 165 may, in some instances, be provided at the bottom of thepanel interior, and this additional neutral bar may attach to theextended neutral bus. In another embodiment, an additional ground barmay also be included.

Referring to FIG. 25, the top pan portion 102 may be arranged andconfigured to receive indicia or markings 300. In this manner, the toppan portion 102 can include information such as, for example,manufacturer name, model number, breaker number, etc. In addition, suchindicia 300 can indicate an optional usage for a particular breakerlocation. On example of such would be to indicate to the user where agenerator should be connected if so desired by the user. The indicia 300may be formed in the top pan portion 102 by any means including, forexample, laser etching.

As previously mentioned, the base plan includes load phase and loadneutral electrical connections 40, 42. Referring to FIGS. 26-28, theload phase and load neutral electrical connection 40, 42 may be in theform of terminal blocks 350. Referring to FIG. 26, the terminal block350 may include a main block 360, a terminal portion 362 for contactingthe electrical connections formed in the circuit breakers 6 and arm 364for coupling the terminal portion 362 to the main body 360. The mainbody 360 may also include a passageway 370 extending therethrough forreceiving an electrical wire (not shown). The main body 360 may alsoinclude a threaded bore extending generally transverse to the passageway370 for receiving a set screw 372. In this manner, each terminal block350 provides a connection mechanism for receiving an electrical wire. Inone embodiment, the arm 364 may be arranged and configured to provide anopening 366 between the main body 360 and the terminal portion 362. Inthis manner, during use, visual access may be provided to assist theuser to view when the electrical wire has been fully inserted. Moreover,the arm/terminal portion 364, 362 may be configured to provide a stopsurface 363 for preventing the wire from being inserted too far.

Referring to FIGS. 26-28, the terminal blocks 350 may also include anumber of features for interacting with the pedestal members 134, 136upon which they sit to ensure that the terminal blocks 350 do not move,are capable of withstand higher torque, and accept multiple differentelectrical wire sizes. For example, the main body 360 may include arecess 382 formed in a bottom surface 380 thereof for receiving aprojection 384 extending from the pedestal members 134, 136. Insertingthe projection 384 into the recess 382 formed in the terminal block 350may provide increase bearing surface thereby decreasing surfacepressures during torqueing. In addition, the main body 360 may includeone or more surfaces 392 formed along the top surface 390 of the mainbody 360 for contacting corresponding surfaces or walls 394 formed onthe pedestal members 134, 136 to prevent the terminal blocks 350 frommoving back and forth. Moreover, the main body 360 may include aprojection 400 extending from the bottom surface 380 along a rearsurface thereof for engaging a recess 402 formed in the pedestal members134, 136. The interaction between the projection 400 and the recess 402assist in securing the terminal block 350 in position while enabling theterminal block 350 to be removed, for example, if required forreplacement. In one embodiment, the projection 400 may be held in therecess 402 via a corresponding hook or snap 404. In addition, first andsecond sidewalls 410, 412 of the main body 360 and arm 364 may bearranged and configured to interact with walls 415 formed in thepedestal members 134, 136 to provide additional support in minimizingmovement of the terminal blocks 350. In addition, the walls 415 formedin the pedestal members 134, 136 may be used to provide additional overair and over the surface dielectric spacing when positioning theterminal blocks 350 horizontally adjacent to one another.

The circuit breaker and load center system of the present disclosureprovides numerous advantages. One aspect of the present disclosure isthat the circuit breaker and load center system enables an installer towire phase and neutral to terminal blocks near each individual breakerinstead of the neutrals all being wired to a neutral bus. Another aspectof the present disclosure concerns two-pole breakers. In the case of atwo-pole circuit breaker, the two-pole circuit breaker is positionedadjacent sets of terminal blocks (each having a phase and neutralterminal block). However, while the two-pole breaker requires connectionto two phase terminal blocks, the two-pole circuit breaker requires aconnection to only one neutral terminal block. As such, to reduce theamount of dielectric spacing required, the two-pole breaker in thepresent embodiment is coupled to both phase and neutral of the first setof terminal blocks and only the phase of the second set of terminalblocks (without a connection to the neutral of the second set ofterminal blocks). Alternatively, the two-pole breaker may be coupled toonly the phase of the first set of terminal blocks and both phase andneutral of the second set of terminal blocks (without a connection tothe neutral of the first set of terminal blocks).

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanyingdrawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means forperforming the disclosed function, or a method or process for attainingthe disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in anycombination of such features, be utilized for realizing the invention indiverse forms thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A load center comprising: a base pan having aplurality of circuit breaker spaces, each of the circuit breaker spacesbeing configured to receive a circuit breaker; and a plurality of basepan electrical connections disposed within each circuit breaker space,the plurality of base pan electrical connections including line phase,line neutral, load phase, and load neutral electrical connections;wherein the base pan line phase, line neutral, load phase, and loadneutral electrical connections are arranged and configured tomechanically and electrically contact respective line phase, lineneutral, load phase, and load neutral electrical connections of thecircuit breaker when the circuit breaker is received within the circuitbreaker space.
 2. The load center of claim 1, wherein each of the basepan load phase and load neutral electrical connections of each of thecircuit breaker spaces are electrically isolated from respective basepan load phase and load neutral connections of other circuit breakerspaces when the circuit breaker is not located within the circuitbreaker space.
 3. The load center of claim 1, further comprising: one ormore line phase bus bars; and one or more line neutral bus bars; whereinthe base pan line phase electrical connections are electrically coupledto the line phase bus bars and the base pan line neutral electricalconnections are electrically coupled to the line neutral bus bars. 4.The load center of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary neutral busbar configured to receive a neutral conductor of a dedicated branchcircuit.
 5. The load center of claim 1, wherein the base pan line phaseand line neutral electrical connections are male electrical connections.6. The load center of claim 5, wherein the male electrical connectionsare selected from the group consisting of blades, pins, and prongs. 7.The load center of claim 5, wherein the base pan line neutral electricalconnection has a triangular shape.
 8. The load center of claim 1,wherein the base pan line phase and line neutral electrical connectionsare female electrical connections.
 9. The load center of claim 8,wherein the female electrical connections are selected from the groupconsisting of clamping connectors, jaws, sockets, and sleeves.
 10. Theload center of claim 1, wherein each of the circuit breaker spaces areconfigured to rotationally receive the circuit breaker about an axis ofthe circuit breaker space.
 11. The load center of claim 10, wherein thebase pan line phase, line neutral, load phase, and load neutralelectrical connections within each circuit breaker space are disposedwithin the circuit breaker spaces such that electrical contact withrespective circuit breaker electrical connections is made sequentiallywhen the circuit breaker is rotationally received within the circuitbreaker space.
 12. The load center of claim 11, wherein the base panload phase and load neutral connections are arranged within each circuitbreaker space such that electrical contact with the respective circuitbreaker load phase and load neutral electrical connections isestablished before the circuit breaker line neutral connectionestablishes electrical contact with the respective base pan line neutralconnection.
 13. The load center of claim 12, wherein the base pan lineneutral connections within each circuit breaker space is arranged suchthat electrical contact with the respective circuit breaker line neutralelectrical connection is established before the circuit breaker linephase connection establishes electrical contact with the respective basepan line phase connection.
 14. The load center of claim 13, wherein thebase pan load phase and load neutral electrical connections arepositioned on a sidewall of the base pan.
 15. The load center of claim14, wherein the base pan load phase and load neutral electricalconnections have respective wire connection portions, the wireconnection portions being slidably received in correspondingly shapedrecesses in the sidewall of the base pan such that the base pan loadphase and load neutral electrical connections are removably connectableto the base pan.
 16. The load center of claim 10, wherein the axiscomprises a protrusion disposed on a surface of the base pan such thatthe circuit breaker is rotatably movable with respect to the base panvia engagement of the circuit breaker and the protrusion.
 17. The loadcenter of claim 16, wherein the protrusion comprises a rib.
 18. The loadcenter of claim 1, wherein each circuit breaker space comprises amechanical coupling that provides at least one of a tactile and anaudible feedback when the circuit breaker is at least partially receivedwithin the circuit breaker space.
 19. The load center of claim 18,wherein the mechanical coupling comprises a snap-fit connection.
 20. Theload center of claim 1, wherein the base pan includes a recess on asidewall thereof, the recess disposed between the base pan load neutraland load phase electrical connections, and wherein a protrusion on anend of the circuit breaker is receivable within the recess to provide adielectric barrier between the base pan load neutral and load phaseelectrical connections when the circuit breaker is received within thecircuit breaker space.
 21. The load center of claim 1, wherein eachcircuit breaker space comprises an arcuate pad, the arcuate pad beingarranged and configured to slidably receive a corresponding arcuate riblocated on a bottom surface of the circuit breaker when the circuitbreaker is rotationally received within the circuit breaker space.